Lionel Messi: Barcelona Still Owe Argentina Superstar Unpaid Wages Until 2025

Lionel Messi: Barcelona Still Owe Argentina Superstar Unpaid Wages Until 2025

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at July 3, 2023 at 12:01 PM
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  • Joan Laporta has confirmed the extent of Barcelona's debt to Lionel Messi
  • Barca’s economic problems forced Messi to leave in 2021 when an agreed contract could not be registered
  • Messi snubbed a return to Barcelona this summer before joining MLS side Inter Miami

Lionel Messi is still getting paid by Barcelona, despite the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner not having laced his boots for the Catalan giants since his departure in 2021.

The Argentina superstar was among the first players to agree to defer their salaries under Barcelona's previous president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, to ease the club's mounting financial difficulties.

Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga, Spain, Argentina, Paris Saint-Germain, PSG
Lionel Messi will continue to receive payments from Barcelona until 2025, Joan Laporta has confirmed. Photo by NurPhoto
Source: Getty Images

According to Marca, Barcelona president, Joan Laporta has revealed that the La Liga champions still owe Messi outstanding payments, which are expected to end in 2025.

"What is owed to him is the deferral of wages that was agreed with the previous board and that produces outstanding payments that end in 2025," he said.

Messi turned down a bid to return to Barcelona this summer, despite being available as a free agent following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain after two seasons.

Details of Messi’s Miami contract

Meanwhile, Daily Post reports that Messi will earn around $50-60 million per year at his new club Inter Miami after sealing a deal with the Major League Soccer side this summer.

Inter Miami’s co-owner, Jorge Mas has shared the details of Messi’s contract after he agreed to move to the United States after his contract with PSG expired on June 30.

The 2022 World Cup winner and seven-time Ballon d’Or holder will also receive shares from Apple and Adidas as part of his contract.

Messi set for Ramos reunion

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Inter Miami are reportedly in talks with Sergio Ramos over a transfer to the United States, which could see him link up with his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Messi.

Following the expiry of his PSG contract, Messi is now officially a Miami player, as is his former Barcelona colleague, Sergio Busquets, who moved to the MLS side as a free agent.

Inter Miami, which is co-owned by David Beckham, have opened talks with Ramos about a potential switch to Florida.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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